Monday, March 18, 2013

Justin Trudeau’s dream to one day succeed his late father, Pierre, as
Canada’s prime minister appears to be moving a step closer.

Montreal Member of Parliament (MP) Marc Garneau has dropped out of the Liberal
leadership race to support Trudeau, 41, saying the outcome of the April 14 vote
was “a fait accompli.”

The
former astronaut said a poll conducted by his campaign showed Trudeau with the
endorsement of 72 percent of Liberals.

Calling Trudeau the “overwhelming favorite,” Garneau was second with 15
percent support followed by Vancouver MP Joyce Murray at 7.4 percent and former
Toronto MP Martha Hall Findlay with 5.2 percent.

Garneau’s
departure was a surprise to many as he said earlier a “coronation” of Trudeau
was not in the party’s best interests.

He
also suggested that Trudeau lacked leadership credentials, experience and
policy depth.

Calling it “constructive” criticism, Garneau now says Trudeau has “risen
to the occasion” and proved an unmatched ability to rally people to the party
that dropped to third place in the Commons in the last election.

Also in the race are David Bertschi, Martin Cauchon, Deborah Coyne and
Karen McCrimmon.